Originally Posted By friendofdd I do live close, 15 minutes freeway, 30 minutes surface. We go most saturday nights. Meet with a group of friends at coke corner, chat two to three hours and go home. We don't "do" the park at all and could meet someplace else, but various members of the group have been doing this for 18 years and we have been doing it for 14 years off and on as we lived in the area. I usually go weekly, on a weekday, with DW joining me every 5 or 6 weeks. I spend 3 to 6 hours, strolling, sitting and people watching. I also enjoy all the flora and note when it has been changed. I attend a hillbilly show every 2 or 3 weeks and go on an attraction or two about once a month. Being retired, with an annual pass, we also jump at the opportunity to join out-of-town family and friends at the parks as often as possible. This last week I spent two rather long days at the resort with my eldest (19 yrs) grandson. I love living close to DLR. I believe the magic depends on your personal attitude and willingness to pace yourself according to your needs.
Originally Posted By LadyKluck ^^Hi friendofdd!!! ;-) I honestly think I would go a couple of times a week at first - I'm sure the novelty does wear off a little bit after awhile but I really think I would be there at least once a week, like fodd, even if its just to have an ice cream or a soda and people watch. I just really don't think I would ever get tired of going!!!
Originally Posted By Clopin When I lived 45 minutes away from DL, my sister and I would visit at least every other week, sometimes more, so about 5 times a month. Sometimes we would spend a whole day. More often than not, we'd go just for hot chocolate and the fireworks or to ride Indiana Jones and hang in New Orleans Square.
Originally Posted By Tinkeroon We live approx. 6-7 hours away (depending on traffic and # of stops we make)and we try to make it to the park about 5 times or so a year. And we find it hard to wait THAT long. I'm sure we'd be there every week if we lived in Anaheim or a surrounding city, especially if we were meeting up with other friends or LPers~even if all we planned to do was people watch or sit and talk. There's just a special feeling when you're in the park that you don't feel anywhere else. For me it is a feeling of belonging and all is right with the world. For that brief time I can tune out all the troubles of the day and just be happy. And JazzCat...by all means...join us!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I think if we lived nearby (less than an hour) we would go a couple of times a month (only because I realistically only get about 4 days a month I can do what I want). If I had a 9-5 job, then maybe once a week.
Originally Posted By u k fan I'm pretty much the same as Dave. If I were within an hour of DL I'd probably visit a couple of times a month. As it is I try to get to DLP every couple of months as I have an AP. Door to door my trip averages 7 hours if I drive!!!
Originally Posted By friendofdd >>>Hi friendofdd!!! ;-)<<< Hi LK! What a great joy to see a post from you. I know being a mama is keeping you busy, but I've really missed you. You are, and always will be, the very first live LPer in my life. Hang around and let us know what you are doing.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I would try to limit it to 2-3 times per year. We would still do the whole "Disney thing" during our visits, staying at the resort 5-7 days in one of the Disney hotels. To go more often would steal some of the magic. I think part of the dissatisfaction expressed on these boards stems form the old familiarity breeds contempt thing. We've talked to many CM about just this issue (when we briefly considered working for the Mouse in retirement). Virtually every one of them said that being there all the time changed their perception of the parks. They still enjoyed them, but it was very different from when they only went to the parks occasionally.
Originally Posted By Mary Poppins Friendofdd makes a good point. You could meet friends at Disneyland as well as enjoy the attractions if you live close. I would definitely be a LP Meets and getting to know people.
Originally Posted By Liberty Belle I'd probably do a couple of times a month - we do the theme parks near us once a month, and I'd want to do DL more often than that! A big part of me, though, is glad I live so far from Disneyland and can't go as often as I'd like. Although Fodd's experience sounds wonderful and I'd love to be able to catch up with friends at DLR for a few hours of an evening, I think I like the whole experience of planning a big trip and staying in a Disney hotel. Since I only get to go every 2 years on average, it makes it really special. Of course, I'd love to have a 'Disneyland Australia' which would be perfect for me - I could go to a Disney park as often as I wanted, but still have the *best* (IMO) Disney park to return to every couple of years!
Originally Posted By alexbook I've found that I don't really enjoy hanging out in the park on my own. I probably go about once a month (more or less), because that's about how often (a) somebody posts an LP meet, or (b) a family member wants to go.
Originally Posted By TINK-MOBILE If I lived close to Disneyland , I would apply to work there, whether in a shop on main street, being a character, a host , I just love Disneyland...even in the hotel, the disney store, I would go there as often as I could...it is the Most wonder-fullest place to be...especially when i could meet all you Lp'ers there as well, that would be a wonderful thing...hugs from the tink-mobile..oxox good question Mary...hope all is fine with you....
